VFF Water Council Chair, Richard Anderson, said the Murray Darling Basin Authority still has a lot of work to do and Mr Knowles’ public comments are unacceptable, premature and wrong.

“We are half way through the consultation period and only one meeting has been held in Victoria so far,” Mr Anderson said.

“Irrigation communities are fighting hard to find some balance in the plan. The Draft Plan, in its current format, threatens food production and the viability of rural communities.

“We recognise the need for a plan. But what we are saying is that the Draft Plan in its current format is unacceptable to the VFF and to communities in northern Victoria.

“The shared reduction figure is causing uncertainty within the southern basin.”

Mr Anderson said that the shared reduction savings required by the Authority should not be taken away from productive agriculture.

“Buybacks will destroy food production, towns, jobs and livelihoods. The MDBA needs to commit to creating water savings through environmental works and infrastructure.

“Victoria has already contributed its fair share of water.

“I hope that Mr Knowles listens closely to irrigators in Swan Hill and Mildura when he visits them this month so he can get a sense of understanding that the Draft Plan is short-sighted and bad for regional Victoria,” Mr Anderson said.